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Commentary on Job 13 verses 13–22
Job here takes fresh hold, fast hold, of his integrity, as one that was resolved not to let it go, nor suffer it to be wrested from him. His firmness in this matter is commendable and his warmth excusable.
I. He entreats his friends and all the company to let him alone, and not interrupt him in what he was about to say (Job 13:13), but diligently to hearken to it, Job 13:17. He would have his own protestation to be decisive, for none but God and himself knew his heart. "Be silent therefore, and let me hear no more of you, but hearken diligently to what I say, and let my own oath for confirmation be an end of the strife."
II. He resolves to adhere to the testimony his own conscience gave of his integrity; and though his friends called it obstinacy that should not shake his constancy: "I will speak in my own defence, and let come on me what will, Job 13:13. Let my friends put what construction they please upon it, and think the worse of me for it; I hope God will not make my necessary defence to be my offence, as you do. He will justify me (Job 13:18) and then nothing can come amiss to me." Note, Those that are upright, and have the assurance of their uprightness, may cheerfully welcome every event. Come what will, bene praeparatum pectus - they are ready for it. He resolves (Job 13:15) that he will maintain his own ways. He would never part with the satisfaction he had in having walked uprightly with God; for, though he could not justify every word he had spoken, yet, in the general, his ways were good, and he would maintain his uprightness; and why should he not, since that was his great support under his present exercises, as it was Hezekiah's, Now, Lord, remember how I have walked before thee? Nay, he would not only not betray his own cause, or give it up, but he would openly avow his sincerity; for (Job 13:19) "If hold my tongue, and do not speak for myself, my silence now will for ever silence me, for I shall certainly give up the ghost," Job 13:19. "If I cannot be cleared, yet let me be eased, by what I say," as Elihu, Job 32:17, Job 32:20.
III. He complains of the extremity of pain and misery he was in (Job 13:14): Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth? That is, 1. "Why do I suffer such agonies? I cannot but wonder that God should lay so much upon me when he knows I am not a wicked man." He was ready, not only to rend his clothes, but even to tear his flesh, through the greatness of his affliction, and saw himself at the brink of death, and his life in his hand, yet his friends could not charge him with any enormous crime, nor could he himself discover any; no marvel then that he was in such confusion. 2. "Why do I stifle and smother the protestations of my innocency?" When a man with great difficulty keeps in what he would say, he bites his lips. "Now," says he, "why may not I take liberty to speak, since I do but vex myself, add to my torment, and endanger my life, by refraining?" Note, It would vex the most patient man, when he has lost every thing else, to be denied the comfort (if he deserves it) of a good conscience and a good name.
IV. He comforts himself in God, and still keeps hold of his confidence in him. Observe here,
1.What he depends upon God for - justification and salvation, the two great things we hope for through Christ. (1.) Justification (Job 13:18): I have ordered my cause, and, upon the whole matter, I know that I shall be justified. This he knew because he knew that his Redeemer lived, Job 19:25. Those whose hearts are upright with God, in walking not after the flesh but after the Spirit, may be sure that through Christ there shall be no condemnation to them, but that, whoever lays any thing to their charge, they shall be justified: they may know that they shall. (2.) Salvation (Job 13:16): He also shall be my salvation. He means it not of temporal salvation (he had little expectation of that); but concerning his eternal salvation he was very confident that God would not only be his Saviour to make him happy, but his salvation, in the vision and fruition of whom he should be happy. And the reason why he depended on God for salvation was because a hypocrite shall not come before him. He knew himself not to be a hypocrite, and that none but hypocrites are rejected of God, and therefore concluded he should not be rejected. Sincerity is our evangelical perfection; nothing will ruin us but the want of that.
2.With what constancy he depends upon him: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, Job 13:15. This is a high expression of faith, and what we should all labour to come up to - to trust in God, though he slay us, that is, we must be well pleased with God as a friend even when he seems to come forth against us as an enemy, Job 23:8-10. We must believe that all shall work for good to us even when all seems to make against us, Jer 24:5. We must proceed and persevere in the way of our duty, though it cost us all that is dear to us in this world, even life itself, Heb 11:35. We must depend upon the performance of the promise when all the ways leading to it are shut up, Rom 4:18. We must rejoice in God when we have nothing else to rejoice in, and cleave to him, yea, though we cannot for the present find comfort in him. In a dying hour we must derive from him living comforts; and this is to trust in him though he slay us.
V. He wishes to argue the case even with God himself, if he might but have leave to settle the preliminaries of the treaty, Job 13:20-22. He had desired (Job 13:3) to reason with God, and is still of the same mind. He will not hide himself, that is, he will not decline the trial, nor dread the issue of it, but under two provisos: - 1. That his body might not be tortured with this exquisite pain: "Withdraw thy hand far from me; for, while I am in this extremity, I am fit for nothing. l can make a shift to talk with my friends, but I know not how to address myself to thee." When we are to converse with God we have need to be composed, and as free as possible from every thing that may make us uneasy. 2. That his mind might not be terrified with the tremendous majesty of God: "Let not thy dread make me afraid; either let the manifestations of thy presence be familiar or let me be enabled to bear them without disorder and disturbance." Moses himself trembled before God, so did Isaiah and Habakkuk. O God! thou art terrible even in thy holy places. "Lord," says Job, "let me not be put into such a consternation of spirit, together with this bodily affliction; for then I must certainly drop the cause, and shall make nothing of it." See what a folly it is for men to put off their repentance and conversion to a sick-bed and a death-bed. How can even a good man, much less a bad man, reason with God, so as to be justified before him, when he is upon the rack of pain and under the terror of the arrests of death? At such a time it is very bad to have the great work to do, but very comfortable to have it done, as it was to Job, who, if he might but have a little breathing-time, was ready either, (1.) To hear God speaking to him by his word, and return an answer: Call thou, and I will answer; or, (2.) To speak to him by prayer, and expect an answer: Let me speak, and answer thou me, v. 22. Compare this with Job 9:34, Job 9:35, where he speaks to the same purport. In short, the badness of his case was at present such a damp upon him as he could not get over; otherwise he was well assured of the goodness of his cause, and doubted not but to have the comfort of it at last, when the present cloud was over. With such holy boldness may the upright come to the throne of grace, not doubting but to find mercy there.
The Lord is near those, it is said, who invoke him, and therefore God is kindly disposed toward them. So listen, Job says, to what I am about to say: I will maintain my kindly disposed judgment upon God, who is just and speaks truthfully; and by trusting his truthfulness, I believe that I will appear to say words more righteous than yours. Or, in a different sense, “I am near my judgment,” that is, I am ready to suffer what God has decreed. Confiding in his truthfulness, I hope I will be seen to be righteous.
50. Herein, that he names ‘riddles,’ he shows that he has parts of his speech framed in figures. Whence too it is fitly added by the voice of the faithful People.
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SUMMARY
In Job 13:17, the suffering patriarch Job issues a fervent and emphatic demand to his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. He insists on their complete and undivided attention, urging them to truly listen to his defense and the weighty declaration he is about to make, rather than dismissing his words with their preconceived notions and rigid theological frameworks. This plea underscores his deep need for a fair hearing and genuine understanding amidst his profound distress and their unfounded accusations, setting the stage for a more profound articulation of his case before God and man.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Job 13:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey the intensity of Job's plea. The most prominent is Emphasis, achieved through the use of the Hebrew infinitive absolute ("Hear diligently" - shamoa' tishme'u), which dramatically intensifies the verb "to hear," signaling the critical importance of Job's demand. This is further reinforced by Parallelism, specifically Synonymous Parallelism, where "my speech" is paralleled by "my declaration," and the implied act of hearing is reinforced by the explicit mention of "your ears." This repetition of similar ideas in different phrasing serves to underscore the singular, urgent message and deepen its impact. The verse also functions as a Rhetorical Plea, a direct and impassioned address to his audience, designed not merely to inform but to compel a specific action—attentive listening. This plea highlights Job's desperation for vindication and understanding, making the verse a powerful expression of his emotional state and his longing for genuine engagement.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job's impassioned plea for diligent listening transcends his immediate context, resonating with profound theological and thematic implications for human communication, divine revelation, and the nature of true wisdom. It highlights the spiritual discipline of active listening, not just to human voices, but to the voice of God and the cries of those who suffer. The failure of Job's friends to truly "hear diligently" underscores a critical theological point: rigid adherence to dogma without empathetic engagement can lead to misjudgment and spiritual harm. True wisdom, as presented in Scripture, often begins with a posture of listening and humility, not pre-packaged answers. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that genuine understanding and compassionate engagement are prerequisites for offering meaningful counsel, reflecting God's own patient and attentive posture towards humanity and calling us to cultivate ears that are truly open to both divine truth and human need.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's desperate cry to be heard in Job 13:17 offers a profound lesson for all human relationships and spiritual disciplines. In a world saturated with noise and quick judgments, the ability to "hear diligently" is a rare and precious commodity. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial listening—merely waiting for our turn to speak—to a place of deep, empathetic engagement. It calls us to create space for others' pain, their unique perspectives, and their declarations, even when they challenge our preconceived notions or comfortable theological frameworks. To truly hear someone, especially in their suffering, is an act of profound love, dignity, and humility, mirroring the attentiveness we desire from God. It requires patience, a willingness to suspend judgment, and a genuine desire to understand, fostering an environment where healing and true connection can occur and where the Spirit of God can minister through our attentiveness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is Job so insistent on being heard by his friends?
Answer: Job's insistence on being heard stems from his profound suffering and the deep injustice he feels at the hands of his friends. They have come to "comfort" him but have instead accused him of secret sin, offering rigid theological explanations that do not align with his experience. Job knows he is innocent of the charges they level against him and desperately needs a fair hearing. His plea in Job 13:17 is a demand for them to set aside their assumptions, listen to his defense, and acknowledge the truth of his situation, rather than imposing their flawed interpretations upon him. He seeks validation for his experience and a just assessment of his character, which he believes can only come through genuine, empathetic listening that moves beyond superficial judgment.
What is the significance of the phrase "with your ears"?
Answer: While seemingly redundant, the phrase "with your ears" in Job 13:17 serves to emphasize the physical act of listening, but more importantly, it underscores the need for a receptive and attentive hearing. It's not just about sound waves entering the ear canal; it's about the conscious, intentional act of paying attention. In ancient contexts, "ears" often symbolized the capacity for understanding and obedience, as seen in the call to "hearken" to wisdom in Proverbs 1:8. By explicitly mentioning "your ears," Job is imploring his friends to open themselves fully—physically, intellectually, and emotionally—to his words, allowing his "speech" and "declaration" to penetrate beyond mere auditory perception into their minds and hearts, leading to genuine comprehension and empathy, rather than dismissal or pre-judgment.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job's impassioned plea for a fair and diligent hearing in Job 13:17 finds its ultimate resonance and fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Like Job, Jesus was profoundly misunderstood, falsely accused, and ultimately condemned by those who refused to "hear diligently" his words and witness his life. The religious leaders of his day, much like Job's friends, were often blinded by their rigid interpretations of the law and their preconceived notions of the Messiah, failing to truly listen to the "speech" and "declaration" of the Son of God. Jesus, the very Word made flesh, perfectly embodied the truth that Job sought to declare. He spoke with unparalleled authority and grace, yet many "had ears but would not hear" (Mark 8:18). Paradoxically, while Job demanded to be heard, Christ often met misunderstanding with silence before his accusers, demonstrating a divine patience and submission to God's will, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7. Yet, Jesus also perfectly exemplifies the empathetic listener, consistently turning his "ears" to the cries of the suffering, the marginalized, and the repentant, offering not condemnation but compassion and healing (Matthew 9:36). Ultimately, through his death and resurrection, Christ's "declaration" of God's redemptive love was fully vindicated, calling all humanity to "hear His voice" and live (John 10:27), ushering in an era where those who truly listen to Him find eternal life.